Grapefruit Interaction latest

2014-03-31

By: Libby Znaimer

It’s been 20 years since a Canadian doctored discovered that some drugs can interact with grapefruit juice causing adverse effects. Now Dr. David Bailey says the number of medications with that potential has jumped to more than 85. The possible side effects include respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, even sudden death.

Many of the drugs are common, such as some cholesterol-lowering statins, antibiotics and calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Others include chemotherapy agents and immune suppressors for people who have received an organ transplant.

An article in The Canadian Medical Journal warns that Zoomers are at highest risk because they buy the most grapefruit and take the most prescription drugs.

It notes that all sources of grapefruit — the whole fruit or juice — and other citrus fruit such as Seville oranges, limes and pomelos can lead to drug interactions. And the interaction can occur even if someone eats the fruit or drinks the juice hours before taking the drug.